NEWS HEADLINES

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ended Saturday night with two Decatur cowboys bringing home world titles.

Tuf Cooper, 22, won his second consecutive world championship in tie-down roping. He entered the 10-day event ranked second in the world, but finished with $232,884 in yearly earnings, more than $35,000 ahead of runner-up Justin Maass of Giddings.

TUF IT OUT – Tuf Cooper, 22, of Decatur, won a second consecutive PRCA world title in tie-down roping after 10 rounds in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this month. Photo by Kirt Steinke/Western and Rodeo Images

“I came in from behind this year and had to rope my way up,” Cooper said. “There’s really nothing that compares to winning the first one. This year, Cody (Ohl) really gave me a run for my money.

“(And) we got to see Justin come a long ways in his roping.”

Cooper joined his father in the line of cowboys who have successfully defended world titles. Roy Cooper won six gold buckles in tie-down roping, including every one from 1980-1984.

Tuf’s older brother, Clif, 24, finished the season ranked 15th in tie-down roping. Clif took first place in the second round with a 7.3-second run.

And although Decatur’s Trevor Brazile finished third overall in team roping after leading for most of the competition, he did more than enough to win a seventh consecutive and 10th overall all-around gold buckle while competing in Las Vegas.

Steer wrestler K.C. Jones, also of Decatur, ended the season 12th overall. He tied for first in the seventh round with a 3.4-second run.

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